Note: Alright, the ninth and final chapter of the NCIS: LA story Late by iwatchtv. Not really. There will be more chapters. This chapter begins what people like me call the climax, which means I am nearing the end of this story. Hell yeah. Basically this is more exposition and set up, though I tried to make it flow and not be all talking heads. I do feel bad about not having any chapters focusing on Sam, he's awesome. Perhaps too awesome to fit in the confines of mere words which is why he's kind of not a central character in this story. Boom, plot hole explained. Now on to the actual chapter. As always, read, enjoy, and review. In that order. Or not. Feel free to personalize it.

Chelsea fidgeted with her dress in the back seat.

"I told you everything I know." She said, "why can't you just let me go so I can forget the past few days ever happened?"

Callen turned to face her.

"I told you, we need you to ID Ansouri and lure him away from the party so that we can take him down. Then you're done and never have to see us again."

"Somehow I don't believe you."

"You don't have to." He turned back towards the road. Sam grinned.

"She's a feisty one. I understand why Deeks is in a tizzy over her." He murmured.

"Try to control yourself. I'd rather not see you end up in a feud with Deeks over a woman. Also, don't use the word 'Tizzy'. It's unnerving coming from a two hundred pound marine."

"Why are the clothes you gave me so itchy? Did the last woman who wore them have fleas?" Chelsea interrupted again.

"Well she has been called a bitch from time to time." Callen replied, smirking.

Sam winced.

"We're here." He announced as they pulled into the line of black stretch limos idling in front of the art gallery.

Callen stepped out of the car and offered Chelsea his arm.

"After you." He smiled charmingly. She took it reluctantly.

"Remember, after tonight, I'm through."

"Of course."

They strolled down the modest red carpet and entered the event. Chelsea waved and smiled at a few of her acquaintances.

"I'll be back." She moved to leave but Callen grabbed her arm.

"Leaving your date all by his lonesome? That's not very polite."

"You want me to get you Ansouri? Well if he is the terrorist you believe him to be, he would run if he even smelled a fed. I'll let you know when I find him." She tapped the earpiece they had given her at the boathouse.

"Fine." Callen growled. "But don't wander too far."

She winked and disappeared into the crowd.

"You got that?" Callen murmured.

"Deeks' little piece of asset is going rogue." Sam's voice crackled through his own earpiece. "You sure that's such a good idea G?"

"It's not as if we're spoiled for choice right now."

"Let me know if you need backup. I'm sweeping the kitchen right now. Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Alright, keep me posted and check back in five."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, if they have any of those little crab cakes back there, snag me one."

"Disrespectful."

Callen laughed and turned back to the party at large. Nothing struck him as suspicious nor did he spot Ansouri, however, the intel was old and vague at best. He could be staring straight at the terrorist without realizing it.

His only link had just melted into background. In hindsight, letting her go was probably a bad idea.

He moved through the crowd, discreetly scanning for Chelsea. She was right about Ansouri running if he thought he was being followed by an agent, but that didn't mean Callen couldn't follow her. If he could find her that is.

As he was about to move on to the next room, something stopped him. One woman mingling among the socialites had her back to him throughout his entire trek across the floor. Every time he took a step forward she strolled leisurely in the opposite direction. They continued the game of cat and mouse until she vanished around a corner.

The moment she turned he heard the unmistakable clickinng of heels running on marble. He broke into sprint just in time to see edge of a dress whip around the corner.

The ensuing chase led them to a locked emergency exit. Who said fire hazard are bad?

Callen raised his gun panting.

"NCIS." He called, something was nagging at the back of his mind. He lowered his weapon before she finished turning around.

"Kensi, what a coincidence."

Kensi smirked.

"Callen, you like art too? Why didn't you tell me? We could have carpooled."

"Alright where's Deeks?" Kensi cocked her head.

"Who?"

"This isn't the time to be playing games. Chelsea is out there looking for Ansouri right now, I can't afford to interrogate you."

"Wait, Chelsea is here?" Kensi paled. "We have to find Deeks.

"Ya think?"

He turned and began walking back towards the Gala. Kensi hurried to keep pace with him.

"You're out of breath. Someone's getting old." She teased.

"No." He lied. "What about you? It seems like Deeks has you wrapped around his finger. Violating a direct order from Hetty? I've never seen you do that."

"First of all, Deeks doesn't have me wrapped around anything. Secondly, Hetty only told me to keep an eye on him."

"You're doing a great job by the way."

"You've always been a pessimist."

Callen rolled his eyes and activated his mic.

"Sam, we have some party crashers."

"Ansouri? Where?"

"Worse. Kensi and Deeks."

Sam groaned.

"Perfect. Deeks can't just screw up once, can he?"

"We're hoping to find him before that happens."

"Good luck. I'm going to be here where it's safe, looking for a bomb."

Sam grinned.

"You do that buddy." He glanced over to see Kensi glaring at him.

"Do you know how annoying it is to hear only one side of a conversation?"

"Do you know how annoying it is to have to look for your boyfriend as well as a terrorist."

"Partner. He's my partner."

"That's very progressive of you."

Kensi clenched a fist.

"You're hilarious. Just shut up and help me look."

"Kensi and Deeks, sitting in a tree, disobeying Hetty's orders..."

"That didn't rhyme, and I don't care if there are witnesses, I will hit you."